Worcester, MA --- Tim Brutto crushed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to propel East Side Post 201 past visiting Cherry Valley, 4-3, in an American Legion Zone 4 Baseball game on Sunday afternoon at Tivnan Field at Lake Park. The Raiders even out at .500 (3-3) overall and improve to 3-2 in First 13 contests. Post 443, meanwhile, dips to 1-3 in both standings.

Following Brutto's blast, Cherry Valley stranded a pair of runners in each of the final two frames, including runners on second and third with a pair of outs in the seventh, but Jimmy Smith made the stab on a line drive to shallow center field to end the game.

Brutto finished the game 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored while Brandon O'Connor also had a 2-for-3 afternoon at the dish with one RBI. Cherry Valley leadoff batter Fran Baldino batted 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored. Shane Padini(2-for-3) and Connor Fahey (2-for-4) each pitched in with an RBI for Post 443.

Baldino connected on the first pitch of the game for a triple down the right field line and quickly crossed home plate following an RBI single by Padini. East Side responded and took its first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the inning. Brutto scampered home on a wild pitch and O'Connor followed with an RBI knock through the left side.

The game remained 2-1 in favor of Post 201 until Cherry Valley plated a runner in the third on a double to left by Fahey to even the game at 2-all. In the next frame, Anthony Casella scored on a passed ball for the 3-2 advantage.

East Side took the lead for good as Cam Frederick walked to open the bottom of the fifth to setup Brutto's game-winning round tripper.

Frederick picked up the win after not allowing a run on two hits and striking out two batters in one and two-thirds innings of relief. Joe Consolmagno went the final one and two-thirds surrendering one hit and fanning two en route to the save. Steve Albert started for Post 201 before yielding to Jeremy Blake-Johnson. Ryan McKay went the distance for Cherry Valley surrendering four runs on five hits and striking out two.

The Raiders continue their five game homestand tomorrow at 7pm against North County. Post 443 is off until Tuesday when Milford travels to Rochdale Park for an 8pm tilt.